Effects of acute stress of movement restriction, transdermal application of corticosterone and subcutaneous testosterone implant on immunocompetence and plasma levels of corticosterone and testosterone on the cane toad (Rhinella marina)

• Grant number: 14/05806-6
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 07, 2014
• Effective date (End): November 06, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
• Grantee: Vania Regina de Assis
• Supervisor abroad: Mary T. Mendonça
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : Auburn University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/10560-8 - Plasma leves of corticosterone, testosterone and immunocompetence in Bufonids, BP.DR

Abstract

Several lines of evidence have emphasized the importance of the immune response as part of the evolution of several aspects of animals' life history, and chronically elevated plasma levels of glucocorticoids and androgens have been identified as immunosuppressive. We will study the interrelationships between plasma levels of corticosterone (hereinafter referred as CORT), plasma levels of testosterone (hereinafter referred as T), and different aspects of the innate immunocompetence in male cane toads (Rhinella marina), exposed to acute stress conditions. We hope to verify that experimental elevation of CORT and T, and acute stress have immunosuppressive effect as well as interfere in CORT and T. We will test the following hypotheses: 1) Transdermal administration of corticosterone should cause an increase in circulating CORT and a reduction in circulating T and decrease immunocompetence; 2) Remotion of the animals from their natural environment with movement restriction (maintenance in moistened cloth bag) for 24h can be considered a stressor, promoting elevation of CORT and reduced in T and immunocompetence; and 3) Subcutaneous testosterone implant should cause an increase in T and a reduction in CORT and a decrease in the immunocompetence. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GARDNER, STEVEN; ASSIS, VANIA REGINA; ZHA, HONGGANG; GOMES, FERNANDO RIBEIRO; PEATMAN, ERIC; MENDONCA, MARY T. Differential gene expression to an LPS challenge in relation to exogenous corticosterone in the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY, v. 88, p. 114-123, NOV 2018. Web of Science Citations: 0.